Electrophysiology

The University of British Columbia Cardiac Electrophysiology Program provides a broad range of experience in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques including electrophysiology studies, non complex and complex catheter ablation, permanent pacemaker, biventricular and ICD implantation, arrhythmia device programming and troubleshooting, laser lead extraction and tilt table testing.

The program is operational at 2 sites- Vancouver and Victoria, both offering unique and excellent training opportunities in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology while providing state of the art heart rhythm management to the population of British Columbia ( approx 4.4 million).

The Vancouver program is operational at St Paul’s and Vancouver General Hospitals, which are within 10 minutes drive .The program performs approximately 1000 electrophysiology procedures a year, most are ablations and more that half are complex ablations. In addition, approximately 550 ICDs (150 biventricular devices) and approximately 800 pacemakers are implanted each year. The Staff Electrophysiologists are Drs Jason Andrade, Matthew Bennett, Shanta Chakrabarti, Marc Deyell, Charles Kerr, Andrew Krahn, Stanley Tung and John Yeung.

The Victoria program is operational at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. The program performs approximately 850 electrophysiology catheter procedures a year, most are ablations and more that half are complex ablations. In addition, approximately 350 ICD procedures are performed every year ( including biventricular devices)
The Staff Electrophysiologists are Drs Chris Lane, Rick Leather, Paul Novak, Larry Sterns and Dr Tony Tang.

Ablations include use of 3D mapping systems ( CARTO and EnSite Velocity) for complex ablations for atrial fibrillation, complex atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia and complex congenital heart disease arrhythmias. Radiofrequency irrigated tip and cryoablations are performed at both centres. A strong academic and research based learning is fostered in the Fellowship program with graduation leading to Diploma in Cardiac Electrophysiology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. We offer a comprehensive 2-year fellowship program with an emphasis on clinical training and research for successful applicants.

Dr Paul Novak is Director for the British Columbia Electrophysiology Program. Drs Shanta Chakrabarti and Matt Bennett are the Program Directors for the Vancouver site.